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11 March 2002

'Coup Plot' Revealed

A "special press conference" in Rangoon on 9 March by Vice Chief of Defense Services Intelligence Major General Kyaw Win revealed that the son-in-law, (Aye Zaw Win) and three grandsons (Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win, and Zwe Ne Win in their 20s and 30s)--of the once powerful military dictator Ne Win were arrested. They were accused of "conspiring to seize State power and effect some changes in the leadership of the State after winning over some troops and some leaders and that a meeting had been arranged 'with a Tatmadaw (Defense Services) Commander' on 7 March 2002 at a restaurant to discuss the seizure of State power."

Major General Kyaw Win, who spoke at the press conference, said that "the authorities concerned have detained in the nick of time U Aye Zaw Win and sons--Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win, and Zwe Ne Win--of Mae Kha Street, Yangon, for attempting to seize state power and for actions aimed at creating division and conflict within the Defense Services."

The spokesman said that they "organized some military units and leaders in their conspiracy to seize state power and to bring about a change in the country's leadership, ....that they have been unhappy with the government's systematic measures which have brought losses to some of their private enterprises."

The spokesman stated that some of their economic undertakings are not in accordance with the law. Moreover, they no longer enjoy special privileges they once enjoyed in the previous era. He added that they were not satisfied with the economic privileges extended by the government to ethnic groups and political and economic reforms being implemented by state leaders.

According to the spokesman, the detained members of General Ne Win's family discussed the use of military units to bring about changes in the state leadership and to form a new government. They have been accused of having "consulted a commanding officer, a close associate", and that they also tried to organize some commanding officers who are close to them.

The spokesman said, "the above-mentioned conspiracy and activities constitute acts which could cause disunity and disintegration of the Defense Services and undermine national stability and progress. The authorities concerned were able to take action on time and necessary measures are being taken."

Aye Zaw Win is married to Sandar Win, daughter of Ne Win. She is known to be the brains behind the family and for her excessive ambitions. She is also reported to have publicly stated her animosity toward Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ne Win and Sandar Win are confined to their home and Major General Kyaw Win said, "This is not a matter of house arrest, we are not arresting them or taking any action against them," he said. "It is a security measure for their own safety."

News agencies reports said that Sandar Win made urgent calls on her mobile phone, saying she was barred from leaving the house. A squad of military intelligence officers then replaced the regular guard from the army unit whose sole purpose was to protect Ne Win. Sources in Rangoon said the men in the unit had been taken to a police cantonment outside the capital under suspicion of involvement in the coup. Their families were given two days to pack up and leave Rangoon.

The 'missing' general

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt has always been identified as a protégé of Ne Win and there had been speculations about his involvement in the coup plot. The general did not make things easy when he disappeared from the public eye. Minister for Education U Than Aung read Lt Gen Khin Nyunt's speeches at the special refresher courses for teachers in Phaunggyi and Maymyo on 8 and 9 March. The rumors, however, were quashed when Myanmar TV reported about Lt Gen Khin Nyunt receiving donations for a temple in Rangoon on 10 March.

At the press conference, Major General Kyaw Win said rumors of discord among the top three leaders of the ruling junta--Gen. Than Shwe, Gen. Maung Aye and Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt--were "absolutely untrue.''

Military 'Conspirators'

Diplomatic circles in Rangoon say Air Force Commander in Chief Maj. Gen. Myint Swe, Chief of Police Maj. Gen. Soe Win, and Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig Gen Chit Than were removed from their posts in connection with the coup conspiracy. SPDC did not confirm the dismissals or name any military officer it suspected in the alleged plot.

Rangoon 'bustling with activities'

Rangoon was said to be going about as usual following the coup attempt report. The New Light of Burma stated on 9 March that the city was "bustling with activities" and "parks, recreation centers, and cinemas were crowded with holiday-makers."

Afterthoughts

When the generals announced a number of slogans to commemorate the annual Union Day anniversary on 12 February, they included one that can be described as not in sync with the times: "...To ward off, with national solidarity, the danger of destructionists from inside and outside the nation who are disturbing the State stability, peace, modernization and development."

Although such rhetorics have been the usual practice before the SPDC-Daw Aung San Suu Kyi talks, the generals have for some time been carefully avoiding the usage of "destructionists inside" in official speeches and announcements. The revived usage of the term "destructionist," once used by the state media exclusively for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, was a surprise given the circumstances.

Again on Peasants Day, 2 March, when Senior General Than Shwe delivered a message to the nation, he once again referred to "...acts of interference from inside and outside the country..." without mentioning specifics.

The SPDC also reshuffled the hierarchy of Burma Police Force in the states and divisions early this year, moving regional police chiefs from their old regions to new ones. The reshuffle was carried out by Police Force Management Committee under the charge of Intelligence Chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt. Although the reason behind the new postings was not known at the time the NCGUB's Democratic Voice of Burma announced it on 24 February, news agency reports today indicating that Police Chief, Major-General Soe Win was involved in the coup plot may put things in a proper perspective.

Also, an article written by Sithu Nyein Aye (which, people in the literary circles say, is the pseudonym of SPDC Foreign Minister U Win Aung) and which appeared in the New Light of Burma in mid-February was openly critical of the "socialist" era under Ne Win and perhaps even the former strongman himself. In part, it said, "The aims were good then, but like a puppeteer who wasted the whole night trying to unravel entangled strings, the weakness in the system prevented economic development despite the emergence of nationalized industries. Myanmar did not progress as it should. What is past is past; we cannot change the course of history. We will have to look forward and prepare for the future without crying over spilled milk. It would not be right for us to be thinking about the past and getting angry and annoyed." In another part the article said, "Some persons would like to live in the past reminiscing about the time they had made sacrifices and about their successful careers."

The 'Scorpion' Behind the Coup Plot

Under ordinary circumstances it would be preposterous to even think that the rise and fall of a youth gang could indicate something consequential at the national level. But not in Burma, especially when that youth gang happens to be run by Kyaw Ne Win, grandson of Burma's once most powerful dictator retired Gen. Ne Win and alleged conspirator in the coup plot.

The "Scorpion" gang run by the rich and young and protected at one time by those in power, including Ne Win's protégé Chief of Intelligence Bureau Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, was notorious for its hooliganism and criminal activities, including abduction and even a reported murder of a youth.

After years and years of running amok with no one daring to control it, fortunes turned against the "Scorpions" when the authorities decided to crack down on the gang last year. Sources in Rangoon say police raided a meeting place of the Scorpions in May 2001 and arrested 25 gang members, jailing 15 of them. Although the grandson of Ne Win was not among those arrested, the raid signaled that the former powerful family of Ne Win was no longer under the protection of number-three man in the ruling junta, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, who was reported to have "washed his hands off" the youngster.